COVID-19 vaccine acceptability amongst South African pharmacists

Background: Phase III trials, corroborated by early post-marketing data globally show that COVID-19 vaccination reduces the risk of severe disease, hospitalisation and death. Despite this, vaccine hesitancy persists amongst some healthcare workers. This study aimed to assess the acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccine amongst South African pharmacists and highlight vaccine-related concerns and predictors of vaccination hesitancy.Methods: Nested within an online survey (14 April 2021 to 18 May 2021) assessing the mental health of South African pharmacists during the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine acceptability and vaccine-related concerns were studied. A multivariate logistic regression analysis identified factors associated with vaccine hesitancy.Results: From 2 454 registered South African pharmacists sampled, 755 responded to the vaccine acceptability survey (response rate: 30.8%). Vaccine acceptability was 71.9%, while 72.4% and 53.3% were concerned about serious COVID-19 vaccine-related side effects and the lack of vaccine safety data, respectively. Pharmacists aged 20-30 years were more likely to be vaccine-hesitant compared to those aged > 60 years (aOR 3.2, 95% CI 1.1-9.6). Compared to their Caucasian colleagues, Black/African pharmacists were twice as likely to be vaccine-hesitant (aOR2.2, 95% CI 1.2-4.0).Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among South African pharmacists exists amongst a small but significant proportion. Targeted interventions to address concerns are necessary.